Current data?

So when I write for future teachers I like to explain the type of environments they will be working in within a few years. Technology trends are rapid and a sixth grade classroom can be quite different than a college senior experienced some 8 or so years ago. Field experiences presents some insights, but the narrow range of experiences can lead to false conclusions.

So, I like to use good sources for descriptive statistics. Good data are hard to find. Companies selling goods to schools may have the best data but their commissioned studies are often not shared. I try to use the Department of Education.

I say these things tongue in cheek because I have searched for good data on school use of technology off and on for 15 years. However, I was optimistic when I checked today. It would seem the Dept. of Ed. had something new to offer. It turned out that the data were the same as I accessed two years ago and summarized surveys conducted in 2009. Perhaps the Department has forgotten to update their web site or maybe they have a different way of defining “current” than I.